The big independent said the gross estimated resource range is 100 million to 200 million barrels of oil equivalent.

Kerr-McGee said it continues to work toward sanctioning and is also working with the State of Alaska and its partners on issues including royalty relief, permitting and unitization.

The company has said Nikaitchuq facilities would be built to handle peak flow of 60,000 barrels per day and to produce through 2026.

Editorís note: See full story in the Jan. 22 edition of Petroleum News on page 4.

Shell names three top Alaska officials

Shell Exploration & Production Co. named three top officials for its Alaska operation Jan. 19.

Rick Fox is Alaska asset manager, Cam Toohey is Alaska government and external affairs manager and George Ahmaogak Sr. is Alaska community affairs manager.

Fox has been with Shell for 30 years, most recently as operations capability manager based in Louisiana. He has also been responsible for the Shell Robert Training Center, Operations Recruiting and Training. Earlier in his career Fox worked in Alaskaís Bering, Beaufort and Chukchi seas and was lead drilling foreman on the Chukchi Sea exploration team.

Fox, Alaska asset manager, will also be incident command officer, oversee logistics and help build a workforce development plan for Alaska.

Toohey, a lifelong Alaskan, has been special assistant to the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Toohey will be responsible for Shellís government and external affairs activities in Alaska, and will work with stakeholders to develop Shellís Alaska sustainable development and social performance plans, outlining how Shell will manage impacts of its business on residents and communities in Alaska.

Ahmaogak, a lifelong Alaskan, was formerly mayor of the North Slope Borough, president of Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corp. and Piquniq Management Corp. and a member of the Interiorís National Outer Continental Shelf Policy Committee.

His primary responsibility will be to engage with local communities, such as those on the North Slope.

Toohey and Ahmaogak will join Shell Jan. 23; Fox officially assumes his post Feb. 1. All three will be based in Anchorage.